Anti-theft interbox connector (IBC) and related security methods

Abstract

Disclosed is an improved locking mechanism for shipping containers. In one embodiment, the locking mechanism is integrated into the interbox connector. Specifically, an anti-theft IBC comprises: a body with an upright door barrier, a lever, and a lever insertion hole, an upper shank and a lower shank, where the upper shank and lower shank are configured for coupling the anti-theft IBC to the lower, front, right corner of a shipping container, such that the doors of the shipping container are barred from opening by the upright barrier.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A method of securing at least one door of a shipping container during intermodal transport, comprising:
 a) engaging an anti-theft interbox connector (IBC) through a lower front right corner casting of the shipping container, wherein the IBC features a recessed lever mechanism;   b) activating the recessed lever mechanism to deploy an upright door barrier;   c) requiring vertical lifting of the shipping container via overhead crane equipment to disengage said IBC;   wherein said upright door barrier blocks the at least one door of the shipping container from opening until crane lifting of the shipping container.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein:
 the IBC comprises: 
 a) upper and lower engagement shanks; 
 b) a central housing body connecting said shanks via a central pin enclosed by the housing; 
 c) an upright door barrier extending vertically relative to said housing body; 
 d) a stopper integrally formed with said upright door barrier; 
 wherein said stopper is positioned to obstruct the at least one door of the shipping container when said IBC is engaged with a corner casting of the shipping container. 
 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a recessed lever mechanism operable only when said upper and lower shanks are disengaged from coner castings.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein:
 said upright door barrier comprises high-strength low-alloy (HSLA) steel.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein:
 said HSLA steel has a thickness exceeding the cutting capacity of portable power tools.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 a marine-grade epoxy coating applied to all exterior surfaces.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein:
 the stopper is L-shaped and said L-shaped stopper is positioned below a container door's pivot axis when installed.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 verifying upright door barrier positioning below a pivot axis of the at least one door after activation.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 disengagement requires simultaneous vertical separation of the shipping container and another shipping container that is stacked underneath the shipping container.